1 Thessalonians 1–3

Following Jesus Christ by Ministering in Love

Young woman socializing with other youth

When has someone’s service reminded you of Jesus Christ? Paul and his companions ministered in Christlike ways to the Thessalonian Saints, inspiring them to continue living the gospel faithfully despite facing persecution. This lesson can help you bless and influence others as you strive to minister as our Savior Jesus Christ did.

Helping students fulfill their role in the learning process. Spiritual learning requires students to put forth effort and exercise agency. As students actively participate in class activities, they open their hearts to the influence of the Holy Ghost. Look for ways to invite all students to participate according to their needs and abilities.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of a time when they felt the Savior’s love because someone ministered to them. Encourage them to be prepared to share how this person’s service helped them want to follow Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Jesus Christ’s example

Display several depictions of Jesus Christ ministering to others, or invite students to provide examples they recall from the scriptures. If the images are displayed on the board, consider inviting students to write the words they think of next to each image.

Look at these images of Jesus Christ or think about other scripture accounts of His interactions with others. In your study journal, list words and phrases that describe what the Savior is doing for the individuals He interacts with.

Jesus is sitting with a young boy on his lap. Outtakes include people inside the house at Capernaum, Philip, Jesus, John, Peter, Matthew, Jesus sitting at a table with some of the disciples shown and Mary Magdalene.

Blind man gains sight. Outtakes include Jesus anointing his eyes, and going to the pool of Siloam.

Jesus Christ is teaching in the temple and being approached by the chief priests, elders and scribes who ask Him the source of his authority. Christ questions them whether the baptism of John the Baptist was of heaven or of man. Outtakes include closeups of people in the crowd and of Caiaphas.

Depiction of Jesus and the woman taken in adultery. They are both kneeling and she is holding his hand. Outtakes include angry men bringing the woman and throwing her to the ground, the woman huddled on the ground, the savior kneeling beside her, Jesus lifting her up to her feet, and the savior standing with her.

If you had been one of the individuals with the Savior, what do you think you would have felt because of the Savior’s actions? Why?
Looking at the list you made, which words or phrases would you want to apply when serving others? (You may want to mark or highlight words that are most meaningful to you.)

In the Church, we often refer to actions such as these as ministering.

Consider writing the word ministering on the board. It may be helpful to display the following statement for students.

Brother David L. Beck, former Young Men General President, taught:

To minister means to love and care for others. It means to attend to their physical and spiritual needs. Put simply, it means to do what the Savior would do if He were here.

(David L. Beck, “Your Sacred Duty to Minister,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 56)

What stands out to you in Brother Beck’s statement?
Considering Brother Beck’s statement and the words you marked on your list, how well do you think you are doing at ministering to others?

You may have questions or concerns about ministering to others. Consider recording these in your study journal and looking for answers as you study 1 Thessalonians 1–3 today. You may also want to invite the Spirit to help you look for ways you can bless and influence others as you strive to minister as our Savior Jesus Christ did. Record your thoughts and impressions so you can prayerfully act on them.

Paul ministers to the Thessalonians

During his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul and his companions found success preaching to the people in Thessalonica, but Jewish leaders forced them out of the city (see Acts 17:1–9). Paul later learned that the Saints in Thessalonica had remained faithful and were sharing the gospel message, even though they faced persecution for doing so (see 1 Thessalonians 1:6–8). With gratitude for their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3).

Carefully read 1 Thessalonians 2:7–14; 3:9–13. You may want to mark words and phrases you find that remind you of the love and care the Savior would have provided. Consider adding your insights to your list.

As students discuss the following questions, listen carefully to their answers. It can be helpful to rephrase or ask follow-up questions to ensure they understand what they read.

How did Paul and others minister like the Savior did?
How would your life be blessed by ministering to others as Jesus Christ did? How would it bless the lives of those you serve?

Blessings of ministering

One truth we can learn about ministering from these verses is that as we minister to others in love, we can help them become better followers of Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 2:10–14).

Photograph of actor portraying Jesus Christ in the Bible Videos.

The following activity uses the student preparation activity. Students could share with a partner, or one or two willing students could briefly share their experiences with the class. If needed, use the following questions to help students evaluate their experiences.

Think about a time when someone lovingly ministered to you.

In what ways did this person follow Jesus Christ’s example as they ministered to you?
How did this person’s efforts help you become a better follower of Jesus Christ?

Minister in faith and love

Sometimes Church assignments will give you formal opportunities to minister. More often, you will have chances to minister during everyday interactions with family members, friends, and others.

President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, shared some ideas for how to minister as Jesus Christ did. Watch the video “Ministering as the Savior Does” from time code 0:45 to 1:54, or read President Bingham’s words. You may want to add some of her suggestions to your ministering list.

Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to “count” as serving our neighbors. Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects on others—as well as on ourselves. What did the Savior do? Through His supernal gifts of the Atonement and Resurrection … “none other has had so profound an influence [on] all who have lived and who will yet live upon the earth” [“The Living Christ,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org]. But He also smiled at, talked with, walked with, listened to, made time for, encouraged, taught, fed, and forgave. He served family and friends, neighbors and strangers alike, and He invited acquaintances and loved ones to enjoy the rich blessings of His gospel. Those “simple” acts of service and love provide a template for our ministering today.

(Jean B. Bingham, “Ministering as the Savior Does,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 104)

What do Sister Bingham’s words teach you about ministering as Jesus Christ did?
Why might it be important to remember that ministering can be accomplished through simple acts of service?

Students could use the ministering list on the board or their personal lists to complete the following activity.

Review your list about what it means to minister, and add any additional thoughts from what you have learned today. Identify two or three words that could help you become more like Jesus Christ as you minister.

Prayerfully seek Heavenly Father’s help to know who He would have you minister to today and how you can do so. You may have already received promptings from the Spirit that you can act on right now.

Encourage students to act on their promptings while in class, if appropriate. They might compose a text message, an email, or a letter. Encourage students to talk with their ward or branch leaders if they have not yet received an assignment to serve with a companion as a ministering brother or sister.

If a specific person’s name doesn’t come to mind, consider praying for Heavenly Father’s assistance to recognize an opportunity to minister and act when it comes. Trust that He will guide you as you strive to minister as the Savior did.

Commentary and Background Information

What if I’m not sure how to minister to others?

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles pointed out:

A person with a good heart can help someone fix a tire, take a roommate to the doctor, have lunch with someone who is sad, or smile and say hello to brighten a day.

But a follower of the first commandment [who loves God with all his heart] will naturally add to these important acts of service, [by] encouraging the person who is doing well in keeping the commandments and sharing wise counsel to strengthen the faith of someone who is slipping or who needs help in moving back onto the path he once traveled.

(Neil L. Andersen, “A Holier Approach to Ministering” [Brigham Young University devotional, Apr. 10, 2018], 3, speeches.byu.edu)

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric stated:

We may wonder how best to serve, but the Lord knows, and through His Spirit we will be directed in our efforts … as we strive to become instruments in the Lord’s hands to bless His children. As we seek the guidance of the Spirit and trust the Lord, we will be placed in situations and circumstances where we can act and bless—in other words, minister.

(W. Christopher Waddell. “Just as He Did,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 21)

Brother David L. Beck, former Young Men General President, reminded us:

Ministering is not just something we do—it defines who we are.

Minister every day. Opportunities are all around you. Look for them. Ask the Lord to help you recognize them. You will find that most consist of small, sincere acts that help others become followers of Jesus Christ.

(David L. Beck, “Your Sacred Duty to Minister,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 57)

For more ideas or examples about ministering, see these two articles from Church magazines:

“The Purpose That Will Change Our Ministry,” Ensign, Jan. 2019, 8–11
Eric B. Murdock, “Ministering As the Savior Did,” New Era, Dec. 2018, 32–35

You may also want to see the “This Is Ministering” page on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.